Sump clearing device

ABSTRACT

A sump clearing device having a elongated tube attached to a backboard of a sweep auger. A second tube is attached to and extends through a sidewall of a grain bin. The second tube is aligned with the elongated tube. An elongated member having a clearing device is inserted through the second and elongated tube such that the clearing device is positioned above a center sump of the bin.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed toward a device for clearing packed grainabove the sump in a grain bin.

In a grain bin a center sump is provided for removing grain from a bin.Typically, grain falls through a center sump and is transferred outsidethe bin by a take away auger. Occasionally, after the grain has beensitting for a period of time, the grain can become clogged and will notflow through the center sump. One conventional way of addressing thisproblem is to open intermediate sumps to unload grain until the gravityflow stops. While this assists in unloading the grain, the processcreates stability issues for the grain bin. Alternatively, individualsmay enter the bin to dislodge the grain which creates safety issues thatmay lead to serious injury or death. Accordingly, a need exists in theart for a device that addresses these problems in the art.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a device that easilyclears clogged grain in a center sump.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a device thatclears clogged grain in a center sump safely.

These and other objectives will be apparent to one of ordinary skill inthe art based upon the following written description, drawing, andclaims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A sump clearing device having a elongated tube attached to a backboardof a sweep auger. A second tube is attached to and extends through asidewall of a grain bin. The second tube is aligned with the elongatedtube. A pole or cable having a clearing device is inserted through thesecond tube and elongated tube such that the clearing device ispositioned above a center sump of the bin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial side sectional view of a grain bin with a sumpclearing device, and

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a sump clearing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the figures, a grain bin 10 has a roof 12, sidewall 14, andbase 16. Within the grain bin 10 is a grain floor 18 that is raised fromthe base 16. The floor 18 has a center sump 20 that is generally locatedin the center of the circular floor 18 and intermediate sumps 21 and 23that are positioned between the center sump 20 and the sidewall 14.

Positioned below the floor 18 and extending from the center sump 20through the sidewall 14 is a take away or unload auger 22. The unloadauger 22 is operatively connected to a gear box 24. Positioned above andsupported by the grain floor 18 is a sweep auger 26. The sweep auger 26has flighting 28 that is rotatably connected to a second gear box 30 atone end and a support 32 such as a wheel at the opposite end. The gearbox 30 is operatively connected to gear box 24. Attached to the gear box30 and support 32 is a backboard 34 that extends along one side of theflighting 28.

The sump clearing device 36 has an elongated hollow tube 38 that ispreferably attached to the top of the backboard 34 in any conventionalway such as with a U-bolt 40. A second tube 42 is mounted to thesidewall 14 of the bin 10 and extends through a hole 44 in the sidewall14. Preferably, the outer end of tube 42 is threaded to threadablyreceive a cap 46 to cover tube 42 when the clearing device 36 is not inuse. The hole 44 and second tube 42 are positioned to align and be incommunication with tube 38 when the sweep auger 26 engages stop 48 whichmust be retracted when tube is lined up. Moveably attached about tube 38is a coupling 49 that is positioned to cover the ends of tubes 38 and 42when in alignment. The coupling 49 is of a pliable material such asrubber such that when the sweep auger is moved forward the couplingpulls off of tube 42. An elongated member 50 preferably having aclearing device 52 attached to one end is formed to be inserted withintubes 42 and 38 and is of a length greater than the length of tubes 42and 38. The clearing device 52 is of any size, shape, and structure andpreferably has a chain, cable, or rod attached to the end with swivelsufficient to clear center sump without hitting gear box 30. Theelongated member 50 is rigid such as a rod or flexible such as a cable.

In operation, when the bin 10 is empty, the sweep auger 26 is moved toengage the stop 48 which is then retracted so that tubes 38 and 42 arethen aligned. Once aligned, coupling 49 is moved to cover the ends oftubes 38 and 42 and the grain bin is filled. When the center sump 20 isclogged with grain the cap 46 is removed from tube 42 and elongatedmember 50 is inserted into and through tubes 42 and 38 such that theclearing device 52 extends out of tube 38 and near center sump 20.Alternatively or in addition to using elongated member 50, warm or hotair may be blown into tube 38 to thaw grain with a blower. Anotheralternative is to insert a cable into tubes 42 and 38 of a properlength. Once positioned, elongated member 50 is rotated, preferably byan electric drill (not shown) or the like, causing the cable or clearingdevice 52 to rotate dislodging the grain so that it will flow throughthe center sump 20.

Accordingly, a sump clearing device has been disclosed that at the veryleast meets all the stated objectives.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sump clearing device for a grain bin,comprising: an elongated tube attached to a backboard of a sweep auger;a second tube attached to and extending through a sidewall of a grainbin and positioned to align with the elongated tube when the sweep augerengages a stop; and an elongated member inserted into the second tubeand the elongated tube.
 2. The device of claim 1 further comprising acoupling moveably mounted to the elongated tube.
 3. The device of claim2 wherein the coupling is made of rubber.
 4. The device of claim 1wherein a clearing device is attached to one end of the elongatedmember.
 5. The device of claim 4 wherein the clearing device is a rod.6. The device of claim 4 wherein the clearing device is a chain.
 7. Thedevice of claim 4 wherein the clearing device is a cable.
 8. The deviceof claim 1 wherein the elongated member is a rod.
 9. The device of claim1 wherein the elongated member is a cable.
 10. The device of claim 1wherein the elongated member is rotated to clear grain.